For free legal assistance to help guide people through the steps to apply for public benefit programs such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), Medi-Cal, CalWorks, General Assistance (GA), Food Stamps, and Cash Assistance Programs for Immigrants (CAPI) - as well as non-benefits related legal advice, please visit the Homeless Action Center. Their Oakland office is located at 1432 Franklin Street, and their Berkeley office is located at 3126 Shattuck Avenue. Drop in hours are Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9-5pm, and 1-5pm on Tuesday.
Emergency Resources
In the event of a life-threatening emergency, dial 911 immediately.
Homeless Shelters
| Homeless Shelters
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| 24-Hour Oakland Parent Teacher's Center
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1406 47th Ave, Oakland, CA
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(510) 532-0574
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| Operation Dignity
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160 Franklin Street #103, Oakland, CA
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(800) 686-9036
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| CityTeam Ministries Oakland
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728 Washington St, Oakland, CA
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(510) 452-3758
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| Dream Catcher Youth Shelter and Support Center
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442 Jefferson St, Oakland, CA
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(510) 522-8363
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| Berkeley Food and Housing Project
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2362 Bancroft Way, Berkeley, CA
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866-960-2132
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| East Oakland Community Project
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7515 International Blvd., Oakland, CA
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(510) 532-3211
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| Oakland Garden Street
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2794 Garden Street, Oakland, CA
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510-535-5088
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| St. Mary's Center
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925 Brockhurst Street, Oakland, CA
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510-923-9600
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Adult Shelters
Family Shelters & Drop-In Centers
| Family Shelters & Drop-In Centers
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| Berkeley Food and Housing Project (BFHP): Multi-Service Center (MSC)
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Trinity United Methodist Church, 2362 Bancroft Way (& Dana), Berkeley
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510-649-4976
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Drop in Mon-Fri 10-11am; Client services Mon-Thu 10am-2pm, Fri 10am-12pm
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Only shelter and transitional housing referrals. Mail and phone service
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| Building Opportunities for Self-Sufficiency (BOSS): Multi-Agency Service Center (MASC)
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1931 Center St (@ MLK Jr Way), Berkeley
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510-843-3700
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Mon-Fri 8am-4pm, Sat-Sun 8:30am-3:30pm
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For individuals & families. Showers Mon-Fri 8am-1pm, Sat-Sun 8:30am-1pm, Laundry by signup. Transitional housing referrals available.
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| Salvation Army Sheler Program
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2794 Garden St (& E. 27th St, Oakland
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510-437-9437 - call for intake appt.
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First call first served. Emergency & transitional shelter program for families or individuals.
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| St. Vincent De Paul Visitation Center
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2260 San Pablo (& W Grand), Oakland
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510-444-3790
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Tue-Sat 9:30am-3pm (closed 1st Wednesday of the month).
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Drop-in center for women and children. Showers and laundry facilities, infant care, referrals.
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| Women's Daytime Drop-In Center
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2218 Acton (& Bancroft), Berkeley
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510-548-2884
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Mon-Fri 8am-4pm (closed First Friday of the month)
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Drop-in center for homeless women & children. Transitional housing referrals available.
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Youth Shelters & Drop-In Centers
| Youth Shelters & Drop-In Centers=
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| DreamCatcher Youth Support Center & Shelter
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422 Jefferson (& 5th St), Oakland
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510-839-1559 - Call 1-800-379-1114 for shelter intake.
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Drop-in support Mon-Thurs 2-7pm, Fri 2-5pm. Shelter Mon-Fri 7pm-8am, Sat-Sun 7-10pm
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For ages 13-18. Meals & laundry facilities.
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| Suitcase Clinic Youth Clinic
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St. Mark's Episcopal Church, 2300 Bancroft (* Ellsworth), 2nd Floor, Berkeley
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510-423-2202
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Mon 6-9pm
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Drop-in health clinic for ages 13-23; Dinner provided
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| Youth Engagement, Advocacy, and Housing (YEAH!)
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Lutheran Church of the Cross, 1744 University Ave (& Grant), Berkeley
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510-704-9867
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Open Nov-May, 8am-8pm. Lineup begins at 7:30pm.
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For ages 18-25; pets allowed; Showers and hot meals.
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Domestic Violence Programs
Drop-In Centers
| Drop-In Centers
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| Berkeley Drop-In (Coalition for Alternatives in Mental Health)
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3234 Adeline St (& Alcatrez), Berkeley
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510-653-3808
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Mon-Thurs 9am-4pm, Fri 9am-2pm.
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Drop-in center for pas, current, or a-risk mental health clients and their families.
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| A Friendly Place
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2298 San Pablo (at 23rd St), Oakland
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510-451-8923
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Mon-Fri 8:30am-3pm.
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Drop-in center for *women*. Showers and laundry facilities, referrals.
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| St. Vincent de Paul CHAMPION Guidance Center
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675 23rd St (& MLK Jr), Oakland
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510-877-9218
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Tue-Sat 9:30am-3pm. Closed First Wednesdays of the month.
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Drop-in center for *men*. Showers and laundry, referrals.
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| North County Women's Center
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2140 Dwight (& Shattuck), Berkeley
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510-649-4965
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Health clinic Mon 9am-1pm; Suitcase health clinic Mon 7:30-9pm
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Mobile health clinic 2nd Tue of every month, 11am-3:30pm; Arts & Crafts drop-in Wed 1:30-3:30pm
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Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation Programs
| Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation Programs
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| Horizon Services
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2362 Bancroft Way, Berkeley, CA
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(510) 649-4965
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Animal Resources
| Animal Resources
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| Paw Fund
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Corner of Bolivar & Addison
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510-390-3488
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13 Sundays a year, 10am-1pm
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Free pet vaccine clinic; low cost/free spray and neuer referrals.
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| Berkeley Human Society Pet Food Pantry
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2700 9th St, Berkeley
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510-845-7735 (ext. 205)
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Pet food distributed every Last Saturday of the month.
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Confidential application required (proof of residency, income and spray/neuter record for pet).
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To Do:
If you'd like to contribute to this page, we could use links to the following resources:
- Free meals
- Support for people with disabilities
- Mental health resources
- Employment organizations & resources